Department of Polymer Science

 
College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering

The general requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees as well as course descriptions in Polymer Science are described in the current University Graduate Bulletin (see index for Polymer Science - course prefix 9871). These requirements are set by the Graduate School. The specific departmental requirements listed in the bulletin are set by the Department of Polymer Science. The combined requirements of the Graduate School and Department of Polymer Science represent the minimal standards for the attainment of a particular degree. As such, they do not adequately describe the concern of the DPS faculty that graduate programs also be tailored to each student's background and research interests. Consequently there are additional requirements and procedures that both the department and the research advisor impose beyond those described in the Bulletin.

Master  of  Science  Degree Requirements:  30 Total Course Credits = (24  course   credits  &  6  research credits); 2 credits of Seminar I & II for full-time students; formal seminar; pass 1 cumulative exam; pre-thesis written review; final written thesis; computer proficiency.

• A public discussion referred to as a departmental "formal seminar" is required which reviews the literature pertinent to the research problem.

• Pass 1 Cumulative Exam - exams are given on a monthly basis (except August and December)

• A pre-thesis written review of the literature will be submitted to the advisor and thesis reader for a grade in advance of the completion of the thesis (submission the fall of the second year for FT students).  The written thesis must exhibit the advanced  level of  understanding  of  the  principles  of  polymer  science  that  was  developed  in  the courses and in specialized research reading.

• Final Thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner.

• Computer  proficiency  is  required  and can be satisfied  by  an  earlier  undergraduate computer  programming  course  or  by a related course  taken at the UA.

• Attendance  and  participation is required in seminar-type discussions scheduled  by  the department.

   

Core Course Program - 11 credit hours, (and 2 semesters of Polymer Science Seminar I & II -1 cr. each 9871-607-608), for full-time students). See course descriptions in Graduate Bulletin - course prefix 9871)

9871:601  Polymer Concepts (2 cr.)

9871:613  Polymer Science Laboratory (3 cr.)

9871:631  Physical Properties of Polymers I (2 cr.)

9871:674  Polymer Structure & Characterization (2 cr.)

9871:701  Polymer Technology I (2 cr.) 

Elective Courses  - 13  credit hours of elective courses appropriate to each student's area  of interest.  Any science, math, or engineering graduate level course is acceptable with the approval of the research advisor. 

Research (Thesis) Requirement - 6 credit hours

An independent, original, and scholarly research investigation is required for the M.S.  degree.  It must be submitted to the Department of Polymer Science  as  a research  thesis in the form specified by the UA Graduate School Guidelines  for Thesis and Dissertations.   It will then be considered and accepted or rejected  by  the student's  research  professor  and the faculty reader. Then  the  thesis  must  be approved  by  the  Chair of the Department, the Dean of  the  College,  and  the Dean of the Graduate School.